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The initial tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.